Some pics of the Su-34 Hard points. It got a multi rack in center station.
The latest reports are that the Su-34 will replace all of the Su-24MR(Recon) role, with a new Recon pod. All of the Su-24 of course and also to be fitted with new Jammer EW-pods, all depending on the mission profile.

Nonsens.
There are 10 Su-34 operational right now.
The other 7, was prototypes and pre-production units used for testing.

But don't let that ruin your day.

Anyway.. further news updates, the Serial Su-34 has been blessed with a new APU unit, Ta-14 series, probably close the the Ta-14-130-35 used in the Su-35S. Its APU can be found in the aft spine, followed by Flares launchers and parashute.
The power consumption on those huge EW-pods must be something..

The new back-end of the Lennits V004 array are designated Sh141.
There are still software development under work, to implement more modes.
Different Russian reports state, the V004 radar can detect targets up to 370km away.

So progress it is.
The latest figures are, some 120 units before 2020.

It's all weird. Why do they introduce in 2010s basically very outdated concept from late 1980s? That project was created in those days and was known as Su-27IB. It was indeed meant to be Su-24 replacement but now such a plane looks ridiculous. Take into account two simple facts:

- basically all weapons carried by Su-34 as shown on above picture are unguided weapons (ROTFL!) or short range guided munitions (X-25, X-29). That means Su-34 will have to come close or even overfly target to score a hit. So taking into account its long range Su-34 and role as deep interdiction/strike platform it is a...penetration bomber concept similar to Su-24, F-111 and Tornado IDS from 1970s. Su-34 will have to fly very low to bomb pinpoint targets placed far behind enemy lines. Of course now such type of action is impossible against enemies possessing AWACS planes (NATO, now also China) because Su-34 will be detected very early and shot down by enemy fighters. Of course Su-34 is no stealth design and with large external weapon loadout it is very good radar reflector. It has also PESA targeting radar "with 370 km range" what unfortunately means its emissions will be spotted from...a thousand kilometers distance. In sum this plane in 2020s will be some kind of aerial clown but anyway Russians are not capable to develop really effective XXI century strike platform now. So I think against Caucasus guerrilla fighters and weak post-Soviet republics Su-34 will be enough but nothing more than that.

- another silly thing is aforementioned number of Su-34s entering RuAF service. Once Su-34 had to replace entire fleet of Su-24 and Tu-22M bombers in the 2020 period i.e. several hundred airframes. Now Russian aviation will get several dozens of Su-34s (we cannot be sure if all 92 planes will be in fact delivered to RuAF because it could be "electoral contract") which is ridiculous number taking into account vast Russian landmass and possible tasks. As a result RuAF will become niche Asian air forces for decades to come.

Here Zelin state the 122 Su-34 on order are only the first contract, other will follow. Hense more than 122 Su-34.

And that Diagram on loadup, was just that, a diagram. Its outdated, i was more interesting in showing how much weight it can mount on each hard point.
Now there exsist new A2G stand-off missiles in VVS arsenal. But of course you allready know this..

And also, i think you confuse Systems and platform in the same pocket. Which it is not. See F-15SA/SE vs F-35A.. The F-35A still lack some of F-15E/SE capability and allways will.

Its the same deal with Su-34. It has new systems, so it do not matter that its design was created in the start of the 90s. But ofcourse you allready knew this as well.. oh why do i bother..
The Su-34 can carry a sh*t load of weapons, in reduced fuel amount, it can take-off with 12.000kg of armament. It can perform Strike mission from West to Far-East Russia on two airial refuling. Try that with F-35A And lastly it can launch cruise missiles..
Airial Brahmos weight 2.500kg, the Su-34 can carry one on senter hardpoint, and most likely two more(one each on inner wing pylon).

Last edited by haavarla on 17 Mar 2012, 22:20, edited 2 times in total.

It has also PESA targeting radar "with 370 km range" what unfortunately means its emissions will be spotted from...a thousand kilometers distance. In sum this plane in 2020s will be some kind of aerial clown but anyway Russians are not capable to develop really effective XXI century strike platform now. So I think against Caucasus guerrilla fighters and weak post-Soviet republics Su-34 will be enough but nothing more than that.

Oh.. where do i start..
First would you kindly name the system that would detect the Su-34 from a thousand km distance?
It must be quite something AWACS cover approx 500km around..

So what effective platform elsewhere in the world can perform with the same(or better) capability as your "clown Su-34" can?

F-15E = Close but nope.
Tornardo = Forget it.
F-35A = Don't make my slippers laugh.
F-111 = Its six feet under..
B-1 = Check.
Its a Strategic relic or should i say "clown platform"(your words), beeing design and produced back in the cold war era.. Still USAF use em with new systems as Striker package in Stan.. Now how about that!

It has also PESA targeting radar "with 370 km range" what unfortunately means its emissions will be spotted from...a thousand kilometers distance. In sum this plane in 2020s will be some kind of aerial clown but anyway Russians are not capable to develop really effective XXI century strike platform now. So I think against Caucasus guerrilla fighters and weak post-Soviet republics Su-34 will be enough but nothing more than that.

Oh.. where do i start..First would you kindly name the system that would detect the Su-34 from a thousand km distance? It must be quite something AWACS cover approx 500km around..

AWACS using active radar scanning cover that sort of range. ESM on the other hand can see even further, especially against a target that is emitting enough RF energy to see things 370km distant.

So what effective platform elsewhere in the world can perform with the same(or better) capability as your "clown Su-34" can?

F-15E = Close but nope.

The Su-34 may enjoy some advantages, but in terms of systems/weapons options, I'd hardly say that it outclasses the F-15E(especially an upgraded one), in overall capability.

wrightwing wrote:The Su-34 may enjoy some advantages, but in terms of systems/weapons options, I'd hardly say that it outclasses the F-15E(especially an upgraded one), in overall capability.

It has a kitchen and a potty in the back.

As a last resort, the pilot can always dump the blackwater tank over those Europeans...

I kid, I kid. I do, however, wonder what kind of pseudo-strategic attack capability this critter would have with tankers available, since crew endurance should also be quite good with some minimum comforts available. I could see it using AS-17s in a loiter pattern operating as a sea-denial asset or other similar role, including standoff jamming and EW.

wrightwing wrote:The Su-34 may enjoy some advantages, but in terms of systems/weapons options, I'd hardly say that it outclasses the F-15E(especially an upgraded one), in overall capability.

It has a kitchen and a potty in the back.

As a last resort, the pilot can always dump the blackwater tank over those Europeans...

I kid, I kid. I do, however, wonder what kind of pseudo-strategic attack capability this critter would have with tankers available, since crew endurance should also be quite good with some minimum comforts available. I could see it using AS-17s in a loiter pattern operating as a sea-denial asset or other similar role, including standoff jamming and EW.

I assume a strike package escorted by T-10 series as CAP with some SEAD assets etc. However, a competent opponent is going to get things like the Israeli SPYDER system, aerostat based look down radars etc over the next 20-30 years. I think the Fullback is outdated.

Well, "outdated" is a somewhat relative term. Superpowers generally don't take on near-peer opponents. The Russians have need for new airframes that can deliver respectable guided weapons and hold targets under contested airspace at risk (say, the Caucus region, Eastern Europe or Central Asia). To that end, I'd the Su-34 serves its purpose well. It's better than bodging stuff onto the the Su-24.

The Engines last long enough to get the job done. These one liners sure add flavor to this thread..

I assume a strike package escorted by T-10 series as CAP with some SEAD assets etc. However, a competent opponent is going to get things like the Israeli SPYDER system, aerostat based look down radars etc over the next 20-30 years. I think the Fullback is outdated.

Over the 20-30 year, lots of different VVS jets will se further modernization, which of course also would imply the Su-34.. How about the Su-34M.